To apply for leave as a Tier 4 (General) student you'll need a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from our University. A CAS is an electronic document so you don't have to supply the CAS statement. You shouldn't need any other documents confirming your student status at the University of Essex.

• Request a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies)

Some of our PhD students require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) clearance certificate, depending on your subject. We will let you know if you need one when assessing your eligibility for a CAS.

If you need to extend your Tier 4 visa to finish your course you will need to obtain a new ATAS first.

• Further information about an ATAS certificate via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

If you're coming to the UK for more than six months and are a resident of any of these listed countries, you are required by the UK government to have a TB test. If your test shows that you don’t have TB, you’ll be given a certificate which is valid for six months from the date of your x-ray. Include this certificate with your UK visa application.

You shouldn’t need a TB certificate if:

• you’ve been in the UK for at least six months and are applying to extend your Tier 4 visa from inside the UK
• you're applying overseas and have lived for at least six months in a country where TB screening isn't required by the UK

You need to provide evidence that you have enough money available for tuition fees and maintenance (living expenses) as specified in the Tier 4 Policy Guidance.

Tuition fees

You’ll need to show that you have enough money to pay the outstanding tuition fees. Payments already made to the University must show on your CAS.

Living expenses

The amount you will need to study at our Colchester, Southend or Loughton campus is:

• £1,015 per calendar month for each month of your course up to a maximum of nine months, maximum is £9,135

If your course duration includes a part of a month (for example 7 months and 2 weeks), this will be rounded up. You must show you have enough money for 8 months.

If you have paid for University accommodation, you can deduct up to £1,265 from the total amount you need to have. Your payments must show on your CAS.

Our Loughton Campus was redefined under the rule changes that came into effect on 10 January 2019 and is no longer considered to be 'London' for Tier 4 maintenance purposes.

Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme (DES) applicants

If you're applying as a Tier 4 Doctorate Extension Scheme applicant, you only need to show that you have two month's money.

Using a relative's account

You can only use your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) account and will need to supply additional evidence as stated on the UKCISA guidance.

Scholarships

If you have a scholarship from the University of Essex and this is included on your CAS statement, you don't need to send any further evidence of the scholarship money.

Financial sponsors

If you have official financial sponsorship from any other source, you'll need a letter as described in the Tier 4 Policy Guidance. Your sponsor must meet the Home Office definition of an 'official financial sponsor' defined by UKCISA.

Payments showing on CAS

If you pay after your CAS is produced or if you believe the amount shown is incorrect, please ask for it to be amended.

You must have all original documents including the qualifications listed on your CAS. The requirements are complex so we recommend you read:

• UKCISA guidance
• Tier 4 policy guidance

Any document not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a translation as described in the Tier 4 Policy Guidance.

All documents must be submitted unless you are classified as a low-risk national or are a Tier 4 pilot student, in which case slightly different arrangements are in place.

Low risk nationals (differentiation) and Tier 4 pilot scheme students

You won't have to supply your financial or qualification documents, including English language, if you're:

• from a country or are a holder of certain passports, described in Appendix H of the Immigration Rules or;
• studying a masters course with us that is no more than 13 months long and eligible for the Tier 4 pilot scheme

Even though you don’t need to supply your financial or qualification documents initially, you will have to do so within a few days if the Home Office or UKVI ask for them. Therefore, it’s important that you have the original evidence that shows you meet all Tier 4 requirements on the date you submitted your application.

This only applies to financial and qualification documents, if you are required to supply any other documents you must do so.

Most students have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for the whole duration of your Tier 4 visa. You will pay when you make your Tier 4 application. Calculate how much it will be before you apply. Enter the course start and end dates stated on your CAS statement.

• Further guidance on the Immigration Health Surcharge.

When you apply for your Tier 4 visa you may be invited to a short credibility interview, which is intended to help satisfy the Home Office that you are a genuine student and that your English language ability is as stated on your CAS.

If you're applying overseas you will be interviewed by the Home Office in the UK via Skype. If you are applying in the UK you will be required to attend an interview either in person or via Skype depending where your interview is held.

Further guidance about credibility interviews.

Postgraduate students

You can apply to bring your family if:

• you're government sponsored and on a full time course that is longer than 6 months
• studying a full time course of 9 months or longer

Undergraduate students

If you're studying below postgraduate level, you will only be able to apply to bring your family if you're government sponsored and on a full time course that is longer than 6 months.

Further guidance

• UKCISA guidance on bringing dependants to the UK.
• Guidance on whether you can bring your family to the UK.

If you are applying for a Tier 4 (General) visa to study an Essex Master’s course of up to 13 months duration you will automatically be applying under the Tier 4 Pilot scheme.

The Tier 4 Policy Guidance has all further details about the scheme. Open the PDF and search for 'Annex 5: Tier 4 Pilot'.

Benefits of the scheme

• When you make your Tier 4 (General) visa application, you won’t be required to provide evidence of your admitting qualification, English language, or financial documents.
• You will be entitled to remain in the UK for an additional 6 months after the CAS course end date (before the scheme, it was two months).
• You may receive a faster outcome from the Home Office because in most cases they won’t be checking your qualification(s) and financial documents.

If you are starting a new course, the earliest you can make your Tier 4 application is 3 (three) months before the course start date stated on your CAS. For example, if your course start date is 1 October on your CAS, you must not apply before 1 July or your application will be refused.

Make sure your CAS is for the correct course and you're sure this is the course you want to study. It's difficult to change course, including adding a year abroad or work placement year after you have made your Tier 4 application. In some cases you won't be able to because of Tier 4 immigration rules, so make sure you investigate your course fully.

You can apply as soon as you have a CAS. Your original course start date must be mentioned in the notes on the CAS. You may not be able to make your application from inside the UK due to the Home Office rules on academic progression.